Perforating gun with improved carrier strip

Abstract

A perforating gun includes a plurality of charge containers and an elongate carrier strip. Each charge container may be mounted within a hole in the carrier strip or in a hole in a mounting bracket secured to the carrier strip through substantially continuous contact between an outer surface of the charge carrier and an inner surface of the mounting hole. One or more relief holes are positioned longitudinally adjacent to each mounting hole, with a longitudinal spacing between a perimeter of the relief hole and a perimeter of the mounting hole being less than the width between a respective hole and the edge of the carrier strip or mounting bracket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a perforating gun for perforating a well, and to an improved carrier strip for carrying detonation charges to form perforations through which fluids are produced. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved carrier strip that resists separation upon firing of the gun. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the recovery of well fluids, such as oil and gas, perforating charges are commonly mounted on a strip of metal and lowered into the well. When the charges reach a desired depth they are ignited to perforate the casing to enable or enhance production of oil or gas from the formation. The strips of metal are not reusable, so their entire cost contributes to the cost of the operation. To achieve a low cost, the strip is preferably made with as little material and as simply as possible. Examples of perforating guns and carrier strips for carrying perforation charges are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,591,911, 6,216,596...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a perforating gun used in oil and gas drilling operations. The invention includes an elongate carrier strip with a plurality of charge containers, each supported on the carrier strip through substantially continuous contact between the charge container and the mounting hole. The carrier strip has a plurality of mounting holes with a relief hole positioned longitudinally adjacent each mounting hole. The relief hole is positioned in a way that it yields towards the relief hole in response to detonation of the charge carrier, reducing resistance to outward yielding of the charge container. The elongate carrier strip and mounting brackets have a longitudinally uniform width, allowing for economical manufacturing. The invention reduces the likelihood of lateral separation of the gun components, making retrieval and removal of the gun easier, and avoids interference with other downhole equipment.

Problems solved by technology

The strips of metal are not reusable, so their entire cost contributes to the cost of the operation.

Although this may provide enhanced durability, it is not optimal in terms of having both a simplified design and resistance to downhole separation.

Existing carrier strips have not achieved a high level of simplicity and resistance to separation.

Prior art carrier strips that separate laterally downhole upon firing of the gun can be difficult and expensive to retrieve to the surface, and may prevent successful operation of other downhole equipment.

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